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If Saline Implants Leak, Can It Be Left in Place?

asked 3 years ago by Ann in Cali in Westminster, CA
Latest answer by Remus Repta, MD
Question viewed 2,652 times
Tags: saline implants, leak

Is there a risk not to take it out? Can I leave the saline breast implant in there for maybe 1-2 years if possible? I am asking these questions for my friend. At this time she is not able to go under anesthesia yet. Please advise.... Thank you much. Ann in Cali

19 answers to If Saline Implants Leak, Can It Be Left in Place?

Ruptured saline implants

The danger is that a ruptured saline implant can develop "edges" which can irritate the skin, can be painful, or could be palpated just below the skin surface in thin patients. The implant shell itself probably poses little significant danger unless it irritates the skin. Removal of an implant or implants can generally be readily performed under local anesthesia, possibly with light sedation if one of these issues arises.

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

They can stay until the patient is ready for an anesthetic

You friend will probably want them out at some point, but as long as they are not giving her any problems, she should be fine to leave them in until she is ready for ananesthetic.

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Yes, you can leave them in

Of course, as in inflated implants they may pose a small but finite risk of infection since they are a foreign body and they are obviously not providing a benefit while deflated. Smooth implants may be easily removed under local anesthesia in the office in most cases. Once you may a small incision, it should slip out without difficulty although small bands of tissue can wrap around the valve handle.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Not an emergency and could wait, but not indefinitely

Removal of a saline implant is not an emergency and could be delayed for few months. I would not recommend to leave it in place indefinetly. The removal and replacement could be done under local anesthesia, if general anaesthesia is contraindicated.

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Empty saline implants are harmless

You can leave empty saline implants in indefinately as long as they done bother you from a feel standpoint. They are inert and harmless to you and can easily be removed later if you choose.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Yes, it can be left inside, but it can easily be removed under local anesthesia

Hello, There is no harm to leaving the deflated saline implant inside as long as it does not bother her, but it can be taken out easily under local anesthesia in just a few minutes in the plastic surgeons office. All the best, Dr Repta

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Ruptured breast implants

Ruptured saline implants can be removed when the patient is ready. The deflated implants may pose a threat if a folded edge starts to push against the skin and cause irritation.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Saline implant leak. Can they be left in place?

When saline implants leak the fluid gets absorbed by the body and then eventually urinated away. With the collapse of the implant, folds occur. Sometimes they can poke the patient from the inside. This can hurt. the other thing is that the soft tissue shrinks. It may make this more difficult to achieve closeness with the other side in the future. We typically advise removal and replacement if possible. You mention some concern about anesthesia... more

Jeffrey Roth, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Saline implant rupture

Ann- When saline implants rupture they usually totally deflate. The saline solution will leak into the body and be dissolved, leaving the breast flat. The solution itself is not dangerous, but it will leave one side flat while the other side will be full as long as that implant hasn’t ruptured as well. If she cannot go under general anesthesia at this time she will be fine to leave her implants alone until she is cleared for surgery again. Depending on how long she has had her... more

Joseph G. Bauer, MD
Alpharetta Plastic Surgeon

There is no rush to remove the implant.

One thing about saline implants is that they rarely leak -- they totally deflate. If they need to be removed, this can be done under local only. Your friend should post her problem because we as physicians like the full story from the patient.

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Leaking saline breast implant removal can wait until it is convenient

There is no medical reason to remove a leaking saline implant. It's the same as leaving a full one in, just without the volume. The only reason to consider removing the implant sooner is if, for some reason, it became uncomfortable. Removal of a saline implant is usually a simple procedure and can often even be done under local anesthesia.

Robert M. Jensen, MD
Medford Plastic Surgeon

The leaking saline implant can be left in place until your friend can have anesthesia.

Hi, Ann, A collapsed implant does not pose any health threat, and can be safely left in place for a couple of years. It can be removed (and replaced, if that is what your friend wants), when it is safe and convenient.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Yes, they can be left in place

Saline implants have a silicone shell and are filled with sterile saline. Saline is a fluid that we use for intravenous volume replacement. (If you present to the emergency room dehydrated, they give you IV saline.) So if your implant leaks, the saline is absorbed by your body, and you are left with the silicone shell that had been in there since the augmentation. The downsides to leaving them in are: 1) asymmetry - you could have a plastic surgeon intentionally deflate the other... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Not recomended but not terribly dangerous

In general leaving a deflated implant in for a prolonged period of time is not ideal. However , it is not very dangerous either. Essentially it is a deflated sack that is not doing what it was supposed to do but is not doing any harm either. I recommend replacement or removal as soon as fiscally possible. It should be noted that it is not a silicone implant which does not offer the luxury of such a casual approach. A known ruptured gel implant is not an emergency but should be dealt... more

Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

OK to leave implants, but why not remove it ?

A deflated implant can be left in place, but in many cases the removal can be performed under local anesthesia so I would be inclined to remove the implant. If it is changed for a new implant (which most people would do) there may be some degree of sedation depending on the situation.

Darrick E. Antell, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Not a problem

It should be OK to leave a deflated saline implant in place. Of course there will be asymmetry that may make daily clothing choices difficult. Medical safety comes into place first and if she can not undergo anaesthesia she can discuss other options for the surgery. Your friend should consult with her original surgeon or a board certified plastic surgeon to review her options face to face.

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Should be ok, but not the best

A ruptured implant (saline) should be removed as soon as reasonably possible. If there is a medical reason to not remove the implant, by all means, leave it alone. However if money is the issue, check with the implant company, as they have warranties for such things. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Yes

You can leave defalted saline implants in indefinitely. They will do nom harm. The pocket around the device will contract down and simple replacement will not be feasible. A capsulotomy will have to done if a new implant is to be inserted.

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Whyn ot remove under local anesthesia?

Although a deflated saline implant can b e left in place, eventually the capsule contracts and renders the edges of the implant very palpable and painful. We have seen patients who have left their deflated implants in place for up to a year without any problems other than seom pain from feeling the hard edge against a rib. Having said that, simple removal can be done under local anesthesia in a procedure that usually takes 30 minutes or less.